Applicator device for ejecting discrete droplets



Juiy 31, 1962 A. R. LUBERSKY ETAL 3,046,937

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS Filed Dec. 1. 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS F, I I 1 Albert R. Luberskyg BY John D. Winters Attorneys July 31, 1962 A. R. LUBERSKY ETAL 3,046,937

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS Filed Dec. 1. 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVENTORS 74 Albert R. Lubersky F i g 2 BY John D. Winters ftorneys July 31, 1962 A. R. LUBERSKY ETAL 3,046,937

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS Filed Dec. 1, 1959 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A: .II'.

INVENTORS Alben R. Lubersky BY John D. Winters A rforneys July 31, 1962 A. R. LUBERSKY ETAL 3,046,937

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 1, 1959 Fig.6

INVENTORS M 68 er ww L .W s R W H m 0 mm n 10 A AJ MAJ July 31, 196 A. R. LUBERSKY ETAL 3,046,937

APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS Filed Dec. 1, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Albert R Lubersky y John D. Winters florneys United States Patent 3,646,937 APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR EJECTING DISCRETE DROPLETS Albert R. Luhersky, Belvedere, and Ziohn D. Winters,

Oakland, Calif., assignors to Fihreboard Paper Products Corporation, San Francisco, Caliii, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,397 9 Claims. (Cl. 118-302) This invention relates generally to an applicator device for applying a viscous product to an article and to the method of such application. More particularly the invention relates to a device and method for metering discrete droplets of a viscous product, such as an adhesive, onto each of a series of articles, such as filled and sealed food cartons, moving continuously therepast in an uninterrupted fashion. The metering mechanism of the device is operative in timed relationship with movement of the cartons relative thereto so that product may be applied to the cartons in a neat and efiicient manner.

While adhesive applicator devices employable for applying adhesive to a series of moving cartons have been known in the art heretofore, generally such prior art constructions are of the direct contact type. That is, rollers or brushes heretofore generally have been employed which engage directly a given portion of a carton and apply adhesive directly thereto. Also, spray devices have been generally known hereto-fore for applying a mist of product to an article. Such prior art constructions frequently use unnecessary and wasteful amounts of adhesive and often result in messy application procedures.

In the present invention, the cartons or other articles to which product is being applied at all times remain free of contact with the applicator device in that the product is ejected from the device onto the cartons or articles as the same move relative thereto. Discrete droplets of product are ejected from the device and a highly efficient procedure results which uses a minimum amount of adhesive and which results in a very neat operation.

While this invention is intended primarily for the application of product to filled and sealed cartons, it should be understood that the same has application in many other varied situations. Similarly, although the invention primarily is intended to meter droplets of adhesive of the so-called hot-melt type, cold adhesives and other viscous products which are flowable at normal temperatures also could be metered thereby.

Objects of this invention include the provision of a device and method for applying discrete droplets of product to articles moving relative to such device; the provision of novel valve structure for eifecting metering of such product in a neat controlled manner; the provision of control means for regulating operation of the valve structure in timed relationship with movement of the articles past the device; the provision of connecting mechanism extending between the control means of the device and the valve structure for transmitting motion to valve structure metering mechanism in response to actuation of the control means; the provision of means for maintaining product of the hot-melt type flowable until the same is metered by the valve structure; and the provision of means for making the valve structure of the device adjustable whereby the device may be employed for applying product onto articles of varying sizes.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the applicator device illustrating the same in operative position relative to a series of cartons movable therepast on suitable conveyor means;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a generally schematic isometric view of one embodiment of the connecting mechanism extending between the metering mechanism valve structure and the control means therefor; FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the applicator device taken in the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the applicator device taken in the plane of line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through one of the valves of the applicator device valve structure illustrating internal details thereof;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section through a valve taken in the plane of line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section through a valve taken in the plane of line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a valve taken in the plane of line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a more or less schematic isometric view of the internal product metering mechanism of a valve illustrating the manner in which the same operatesto meter product in a controlled manner; 7

'FIGS. 11 and 11a are isometric views of one embodiment of a paperboard or like food carton well suited for use with this invention;

'FIG. 12 is a generally schematic isometric View of another embodiment of the mechanism connecting the valve control means to the internal metering mechanism of the valve structure;

FIG. 13 is an isometric schematic View of one solenoid control arrangement employable with the valve control means.

While this invention is usable for applying product of various and varied natures to articles of various types, the applicator device and method disclosed herein are particularly well suited for metering and applying discrete droplets of hot-melt adhesive to a series of food cartons moving in continuous and uninterrupted fashion past a given station. Such cartons may be in contact with or spaced from each other. The purpose of such adhesive application is so that flaps or other portions of such cartons may be securely held in a given position after folding thereof.

The subject applicator device is well suited for use in combination with machines of the type which set up, fill, close and seal cartons in a continuous and uninterrupted fashion at high rates of speed. Such a carton machine is illustrated in the application by Albert R. Lubersky, John D. Winters and Edward L. Wong, Serial No. 835,605 filed August 24, 1959. However, the applicator device hereof also is usable with other carton machines and for applying adhesive to cartons of a type other than that shown herein and in the above noted application.

Summarizing the adhesive application procedure and method, a series of containers are moved preferably in continuous fashion, although the subject device also is usable with a step-by-step carton movement'past a given station. At such station a valve housing is provided which has at least one adhesive discharge port therethrough. Normally, the discharge port is closed. A quantity of product'is introduced under pressure of predetermined amount into the housing and periodically the discharge port is opened and closed in timed relationship to movement of the series of cartons therepast. Because the adhesive is under pressure and because the discharge port is only open for a brief controlled time period, a discrete droplet of adhesive is applied to a moving carton each time the discharge port is opened.

Referring first to FIGS. 11 and 11a, cartons 1 of a type well suited for use in conjunction with this invention are illustrated which comprise a closed body 2 having extending straight and unfolded from opposite ends 3 and 4 thereof a pair of upstanding sealed extremities 6 and 7 which have been closed and sealed in any suitable manner, such as in themanner disclosed in the aforementioned application. Because such projecting'extremities mak e the package somewhatdifiicult tostack, handle and/or overwrap, it is desirable for such extremities to be folded into engagement with the respectivecarton ends.

Adhesive is applied to the opposite ends of 'the carton for maintaining the extremities folded. As noted previously, thesubject applicator device dispenses discrete droplets of adhesive, indicated at 8 in FIG. 11. In this manner, a minimum amount of adhesive is required and a very neat adhesive applicationprocedure results. With 7 the carton embodiment, illustrated, two spots of adhesive or other product are afilxed to each end of the carton but more or less than two spots may be employed as desired or required, depending upon the size and character of the are carried on suitable conveyor means, such as a conveyor belt 9 movable in a generally horizontal plane whichhas spaced pockets thereon defined by carton engaging fingers 11 and 12 which cooperate with a guide rod 13 in maintaining the series of cartons in position on the conveyor. Such conveyor is movable in a continuous and uninterrupted fashion and desirably at a high rate of speed so that as many as several-hundred cartons per minute may be carried past the applicator device. However, because operation of the'applicator device is timed to the speed of the conveyor, the cartons may be moved past the device at any speed chosen without alfecting operation of the device. The conveyor forms part ofthe carton machine and is driven in any suitable manner,

V suchas that disclosed in the aforementioned application.

Although not shown, desirably a'fno carton-no adhesive control is employed with the subject device so that if one of the conveyor pockets is empty, no adhesive will be metered by the valve structure of the applicator device. Such 'no carton-no adhesive"controls are well known and do not form any part of this invention and accordingly are not specifically illustrated.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,4 and the applicator device comprises an adhesivesupply container 16 mounted ad jacent to and above conveyor 9 by means of spaced brackets 17 and 18 secured by bolts 19 or equivalent fastening means to the framework of the carton machine M with which the device is employed. -A horizontal reinforcing a or like openings 35 alsoare provided in. the column 22 tive passages. a

4 means through which adhesive to be metered flows to the valves.

Intermediate its ends vertical passage 27 has an elongated cut-out portion 31 extending through the wall of column 22 and communicating with upper valve passage 29. That is, adhesive flowing fromv the container lfi through vertical passage 27 enters cut-out portion 31 before passing into horizontal passage--29. In this manner,

valve mounting head25 may be moved vertically on the column Within predetermined limits for adjustment thereon and passage 29 will remain in operative alignment with thevertical passage so that adhesive may be intro ducedinto upper valve 24 regardless of its position on" the column.- V V e e Plugs 3-2 are provided adjacent the bottom of the column to permit access to therespective passages thereof,

respecfor cleaning and draining of the column and the Means are provided in the supply container and infthe column for heating and maintaining flowable the supply of adhesive in the container and' in the conduit passages which connect the column the valves. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, electrical heater elements 33 extend through the bottom of container 16 andare connectable to anyconvenient electrical source in any well known j manner.- Space is provided at 34 in the container bottom 1 for reception of a thennostat control (not shown) forregulating the heat level of the elments3-3; "Channels for receiving heater elements (not shown) and athermostat (not shown) as illustrated in FIG. 5; Similar channels for the reception of heating elements and thermostat controls are providedjparallel to the horizontal passages 28 and ZQJWhlChEXIEIld from the column'into the respective valves. As a result of this heating arrangement, hot-melt adhesive is maintained flowable at a predetermined temperature from the time it leaves the supply container until it enters the respective valves and is ejected therefrom in the manner Ito-be described.

Means is provided at supply container .16 for applying pressure to adhesive passing therefrom so that adhesive is introduced to the valves under pressure whereby adshaft 38 operatively connected by coupler 39 between a multaneously to each of opposite ends of a carton. A

fixed lower valve 23 is operatively connected with the lower end of column 22 and an upper valve 24 is mounted .on a head 25 which is adjustable by means of bolt con- 6 gear box 49 and the pump. Mounted above the container on a suitable upright bracket 41 is an electric motor 42. or other suitable power supply source operatively connected to the mechanism in gear box 49. Upon operation of the motor, adhesive is pumped under pressure through the passage 27 in column 22 into the respective valves. As shown in FIG. 4, an adhesive intake port- 43 is provided in the pump housing through which adhesive may be drawn into the gear pump and, as shown in 7 FIG. 5, adhesive may pass from the pump housing through a fitting 44 into a pump mounting block 45 and therefrom into a vertical passage 46- extending through the container bottom which is aligned with the vertical passage 27 in the column.

An overload control device 47 also is mounted on mounting block 45 and is operatively connected with the gear pump by means of a passage 43 extending through the mounting block. This device is of Well known construction and insures the maintenance of a constant predetermined pressure within'the conduit and pump system of the applicator device. Desirably, a spring loaded or like by-pass control is incorporated with device 47 so that if the valves become clogged or the like, adhesive may be discharged through a by-pass outlet 49 provided I for that purpose back into the container. In this manner, damage to the system may be precluded.

A thermostatic control 51 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the adhesive supply container and is operatively connected by suitable switch means (not shown) through electrical wires 52 at its upper end to a control arrangement for regulating operation of motor 42. In this manner, operation of motor 42 is correlated to the temperature of the adhesive in the container. That is, the motor is precluded from operating unless the adhesive in the contaner is at a predetermined temperature. If the hot-melt adhesive is not sufficiently hot to flow properly or is too hot so that damage might result to the cartons to which it is applied, the thermostatic control 51 will prevent operation of the motor 42 so that gear pump 37 will not operate and adhesive will not be forced into the valves through the passages provided therefor.

With this arrangement a constant and steady source of adhesive may be supplied at the proper temperature to each of the upper and lower valves 23 and 24. As the supply of adhesive in the container diminishes, additional adhesive may be introduced into the container through the top thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 10, a valve found suitable for use in the valve structure of the applicator device is illustrated. In the drawings, bottom valve 23 is shown but it should be understood that the upper valve 24 is of the same construction and is merely mounted in an inverted position.

Valve 23 comprises a housing 56 through which the aforementioned horizontal adhesive passage 28 extends. Housing 56 has a hollow interior 57 and the upper wall 53 thereof is defined by the undersurface of a removable cap 59 separably connected with the housing by means of a series of screw fasteners 61 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. An adhesive discharge port of a predetermined size extends through cap 59. It is through such port 62 that adhesive is ejected in discrete droplets in a predetermined controlled manner in response to movement of cartons therepast as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10.

Mechanism for metering adhesive is mounted in the housing interior 57 which controls the flow of adhesive through discharge port 62. Such mechanism includes a control member in the form of a disc 63 the upper surface of which is in contacting and movable relationship with the upper housing wall 58 defined by the under surface of cap 59. An adhesive discharge passage 64 of predetermined size extends through disc 63 and it is through such passage that adhesive flows into the discharge port 62 in cap 59 when the passage and port are aligned.

Disc 63 includes a depending cylindrical body portion 65 having. an annular shoulder projection 66 extending therearound which forms a spring seat. A transverse slot 67 is provided in the cylindrical depending portion of disc 63. Received in slot 67 is a rounded key head 68 of a connecting member 69 operatively engaged with the disc 63 for transmitting motion thereto in the manner to be described. A rounded head desirably is employed on connector 68 to provide for better alignment-between the connector and the disc and to compensate for any slight misalignment therebetween. Desirably a coil spring member 70 is interposed between the shoulder projection 66 of the disc member and an annular shoulder 71 provided at the lower end of connector 69. In this manner, the disc member and the connector are operatively connected together but are resiliently urged away from each other in opposite directions.

Desirably the under surface of cap 59 which forms the upper wall of the valve housing is lapped to a smooth finish as is the upper surface of disc member 63 contacting the same. In this manner, smooth contacting surfaces are provided which will preclude adhesive leakage from the valve without requiring packing or like conventional leak stopping means.

A hollow column 72 is threadablyengaged in the bottom portion of valve housing 56 and desirably a leakage preventing rubber or like O-ring 73 is interposed between the column and the bottom of the valve housing. Extending upright through column 72 is a movable valve stem or shaft 74 which has means 76 secured to its lower end exteriorly of the casing for efiecting movement of the shaft. At its upper end shaft 74 is provided with a fiat semi-circular key head 78 which is received in a semicircular key slot 79 in connector 69 as shown in FIG. 7. In this manner, disc 63 is operatively connected with shaft 74 and is moved thereby. By employing a rounded key head of the type shown, any misalignment during operation of the valve may be compensated for.

To preclude leakage of adhesive into the interior of column 72, desirably lapped surfaces LS are provided between the bottom of connector 69 and the threaded upper end'of the column 72. I

It should be understood that as adhesive flows into the valve housing through conduit 28 it is free to flow around and about connector 69 and the cylindrical portion 64 of the disc member. However, adhesive is free to pass from the valve housing only when the discharge passage 64 through disc member 63 is aligned with the discharge port 62 in cap 59 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. Because the metering of adhesive is thus controlled directly at the discharge port, the possibility of the valves clogging when the device is not in use is greatly minimized if not entirely precluded.

Normally, disc member 63 is positioned so that its discharge passage is not aligned with the discharge port 62 through the valve housing so that the discharge port normally is closed. By moving the disc in a predetermined controlled manner, alignment of the discharge port and discharge passage can be readily effected-to permit adhesive metering. Movement of the 'disc member relative to the discharge port is effected by movement of shaft 74.

While shaft 74 and disc 63 could be rotated in a unidirectional circular path, to preclude unnecessary wear on the parts of the valve mechanism and to permit metering in a more rapid and more easily controlled manner, it has been found desirable to oscillate or reciprocate shaft 74 and disc 63 therewith so that the discharge passage through the disc member is periodically aligned with the discharge port 62 as it passes back and forth beneath the discharge port. As a result, each time the disc member moves relative to the discharge port and the discharge passage is brought into-alignment therewith a discrete droplet of adhesive is ejected from the valve in an upward or downward direction, depending upon the manner in which the valve is oriented. In this respect, reference is directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates the spaced relationship between the upper and lower valves and the opposite ends of the cartons carried therepast. Because there is no direct contact between the carton ends and the respective valves, adhesive may be applied neatly, rapidly and effectively to a long succession of continuously moving cartons.

Control means desirably is operatively connected with each of the upper and lower valves of the applicator device for regulating operation thereof and for controlling adhesive metering therefrom in timed relationship with movement of cartons therepast. One embodiment of such control means is illustrated in FIGS. l through 6 and includes a pulley and cable arrangement generally designated 80 for transmitting motion fromthe control means to the valves. As shown in FIG. 6, a pulley 81. secured by a set screw 82 or other suitable means is mounted on the end of shaft 74 operatively connected to the control disc of the lower valve 23. A similar pulley-83 is mounted on the valve stem or shaft 84 extending upright from the upper valve 24. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 3, a cable 86 passes around each of pulleys 81 and 83 and extends therefrom in a continuous fashion over a pair of direction changing bottom idler pulleys 87 and88 and a pair of upper'idler pulleys S9 of the'respe'ctive discs in the valves.

' of this type are readily' available "and engaged clevis and yoke arrangements.

7 and 91. Desirably a threaded connector92 is interposed between opposite ends of the cable to permit adjustment of tension thereon and to compensate tor-movement of the upper valve'toward. or away from the lower valve in the manner described previously.

' Opposite ends 93 and 94 fthe cable are connected in any well known manner to the respective ends 96 and 97 of a double ended piston rod engaged with and extending from opposite sides of a piston 98 slidably mounted in an air-cylinder 99 as shown in FIG. 4.

It should be understood that upon movement of piston 98 in either direction Within the air cylinder the valve stems or shafts 74 and 84 of the respective valves will be rotated simultaneously by cable 86 to efiect rotation 'In this manner, periodic alignment of the valve discharge passages and valve housing discharge ports may be effected.

To produce movement of piston 98 the same is connected in any well known manner to a source of fluid under pressure. Airmay be introducedunder pressure into the cylinder 99 through spaced air inlet and outlet conduits 101 and 102 onopposite sides of the piston'98. In this manner, when air is introduced on one side of the piston under pressure through conduit 101, the piston is moved downwardly in FIG. 4. The air on p the opposite side of the piston is simultaneously exhausted from the cylinder through conduit 102. 7 Conversely, upon air being introduced into the cylinder through conduit 102, the piston moves upwardly in FIG. 4 and air is exhausted through conduit '101.v Various air cylinder arrangements any suitable construction may be employed.

'Upon movement of the double acting piston in a predetermined direction, the disc members in the respective valve housings will 'be moved in unison. However, because a single cable is employed, the disc members will rotate in opposite directions, upon each stroke of the piston. However, the adhesive discharge passage and discharge port of each valve will be aligned 'simultane-.

ously so that simultaneous ejection of adhesive therefrom is eflected.

By controlling the stroke of the piston in'the cylinder 99 and the timing of movement thereof, adhesive may be ejected from the respective valves in any predetermined controlled manner found desirable. Desirably, electrical means of the solenoid valve type are operatively connected to the carton machine with which the present applicator device is used. Referring to FIG. 2, such solenoid mechanism controls respective" airvalves 103 and 104 which in turn regulate alternate air flow into and out of air cylinder 99 in a well known manner so that piston 98 therein reciprocates in a' controlled manner to effect adhesive metering.

Because the adhesive discharge passage and discharge port of each valve are only periodically and briefly aligned, the adhesive is actually squirted or ejected durpiston rod 109' so that the volume of air introducible into ing the brief interval of. alignment in discrete droplets.

By properly timing movement of the disc member'relative to the discharge port in the respective value casing and by moving the discharge passage back and forth relative to the discharge port, a pair of droplets maybe applied to each' carton carried therepast as shown in FIG. 11. Ob-

viously, however, by modifying the timing of the recipro cation of the piston, less than or more than two droplets of adhesive may be applied to each carton.

If desired, a modified type of control means and connecting mechanism may be employed for regulating operation of the upper and lower valves. Such modified construction is shown in FIG. 12 and comprises inter- With this construction, a pair of air cylinders 106 and 107' are required with one cylinder being operatively connected through piston rods 108 and 109 respectively with-each of the upper and lower valves 23 and 24.

. A piston is slidably mounted in each of the air cylinthe cylinder on opposite sides of the cylinder thereinmay be balanced for proper operation. Solenoid controlled air valves .113, 114, 116 and 117 are employed with the respective air cylinders for controlling introduction of air into and exhaust air from the respective cylinders in response to operation of the solenoid switches.

The clevis and yoke arrangement operatively interconnected with each valve is the same and only that'construction shown at the bottom of FIG. 12 will be specifically described. Desirably, a clevis 118 is secured to the end of piston rod 109 which has a clevis pin 119 extending upright therefrom around which is mounted a cam roller 120. This roller is positioned in the slot 121 of a yoke member 122 and transmits motion from the piston rod 190 to the yoke. At its end opposite from the slot 121 the yoke is non-rotatably secured to the bottom of the shaft 74extending downward through column 72 of the lower valve 23.

Upon movement of piston rod 109 in a given direction,

shaft 74 is rotated because of its connection'with yoke 122. Because piston rod 109 oscillates, yoke 122 similarly oscillates and adhesivemetering in the manner previously described is effected. The primary distinction in' this embodiment of the control means and connecting mechanism is that a pair of air cylinders and two pairs of air valves are employed as opposed to the single air cylinder and one pair of air valves employed with the pulley and cable arrangement described previously.

For controlling operation of the respective air valves whether the doublevalve arrangement of FIG. 12 or the single valve arrangement of FIGS. 2 to 5 is employed, desirably commercially available solenoid switches and air valves are utilized. The solenoids may be actuated in various manners, such as by well known circular switches or by a cam and cam follower arrangement of the type shown in FIG. 13.

A pair of micro switches 125 and 126 are adjustably mounted by threaded bolts 127 extending through adjusting slots 128 of a mounting plate member 129. Respective cam followers 131 and 132 areoperatively connected with the switches and are engaged respectively with cam wheels 133 and 134 which are keyed or otherwise secured to a continuously rotating shaft 135. Shaft 135 may be any. driven shaft of thecarton machine with which the adhesive applicator device is employed so long as the same is driven in timed relationship with movement of, the carton conveyor. Camming projections are provided on the periphery of the cam wheels for periodically actuating the respective cam followers for alternately energizing and de-energizing the micro switches which in turn control the solenoid air valves of the respective air cylinders to cause controlled reciprocation of the pistons therein in the manner described to elfect oscillation of the metering mechanism in the respective adhesive metering valves. I I

Because the switches are adjustably mounted on plate 129 the timing and sequence of opening and closing the discharge ports of the respective metering valves may be regulated and modified in any desirable manner. In this way, discrete droplets of adhesivernay be metered from the respective adhesive valves .in a predetermined .controlled manner and-such droplets may be applied to the cartons or other articles moved therepast inrrespective' cylinder pulley and cable arrangement of FIGS. 25 or,

the double air cylinder clevis and yoke arrangement of .FIG. 12. In the single air cylinder arrangement, each.

of the solenoid switches controls one of the air valves shown in FIG. 2 to effect piston reciprocation. In the the V double air cylinder arrangement, each of the solenoid switches controls a pair of air valves connected together in parallel. That is, referring to FIG. 12, one solenoid switch will regulate simultaneously air valves 113 and 116 while the other solenoid switch will regulate simultaneously air valves 111 and 117. In this way, the tinting of and simultaneous ejection of adhesive from each metering valve may be regulated.

Depending upon the particular type and nature of the hot-melt type adhesive chosen, the temperature and pressure applied thereto may vary. Proper viscosity and flowability of a typical adhesive which has been found suitable for use with wax coated cartons, can be attained if such adhesive is heated to a level of about 350 F. at a pressure of about 70 psi. These figures are intended to be only illustrative of desirable operating conditions for the adhesive described and reasonable variation in the temperature and pressure levels applied to the adhesive is permissible.

While certain specific embodiments of this invention have been illustrated, it should be understood that modifications thereof which may become evident to persons skilled in the art are intended to fall Within the purview of this invention and the same should be interpreted in light of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An adhesive applicator device for ejecting discrete droplets of adhesive onto each of opposite ends of a. carton or like container conveyed in an uninterrupted fashion therepast, comprising spaced valve bodies between which such carton is movable with its opposite ends adjacent to but free of direct contact with the respective valve bodies, an inlet port and adhesive metering valve means in each of said bodies, said adhesive metering valve means including a discharge port formed in said valve body and an oscillatable disc journaled to said housing wall and formed with an opening registrable with said discharge port, a supply container in which a quantity of adhesive is maintainable read for use, conduit means extending between said supply container and each of said valve bodies, said conduit means including a fluid passageway terminating in an outlet port bringing said supply container into communication with said valve body inlet port, one of said inlet and outlet ports being elongated longitudinally of said conduit means whereby sm'd valve bodies are adjustable relative to each other along said conduit means without interrupting communication therebetween for applying adhesive to cartons of varying sizes, means for applying pressure to said adhesive metered by said metering valve means whereby said adhesive may be ejected in discrete droplets from said valve bodies under pressure and such droplets applied to said carton without said carton contacting said valve bodies, and control means operatively connected with said valve bodies and regulating metering of adhesive droplets from each of said valve bodies in a predetermined controlled manner in timed relationship with movement of said carton whereby adhesive may be ejected from said valve bodies when a carton is located therebetween.

2. The applicator device of claim l wherein said device is intended to meter adhesive of the hot-melt type and wherein means are provided at said supply container within the walls thereof for maintaining said adhesive flowable prior to ejection thereof from said valve bodies.

3. The applicator device of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises an air cylinder operatively connected by pulley and cable structure which extends between said cylinder and said metering valve means, and means controlling flow of compressed air to said cylinder operated in timed relation to movement of said cartons.

4. The applicator device of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a pair of air cylinders operatively connected by interengaged clevis and yoke arrangements which extend between the cylinders and the respective metering valve means, and means controlling flow of compressed air to said cylinder operated in timed relation to movement of said carton.

I 5. An adhesive applicator device for ejecting discrete droplets of adhesive substantially simultaneously onto each of opposite ends of a carton or like container conveyed in an uninterrupted fashion therepast, comprising spaced adhesive metering valves between which such carton is movable with its opposite ends adjacent to but free of direct contact with the respective valves, a supply container in which a quantity of adhesive is maintainable ready for use, conduit means extending between and connecting said container with each of said valves, means for applying pressure to said adhesive metered by said valves whereby said adhesive may be ejected in discrete droplets from said valves under pressure and such droplets applied to said carton without said carton contacting said valves,-

pressure fluid-operated control means operatively connected with said valves and regulating metering of adhesive droplets from said valve in unison and in a predetermined controlled manner, and valve means connected to said control means operated in timed relationship with movement of said carton whereby said control means are operated and adhesive is ejected from said valves; each of said valves comprising a housing having an adhesive discharge port extending through a wall thereof, a disc member engaged with said wall normally closing said discharge port, said disc member having an adhesive discharge passage therethrough, and means connecting said disc member with said control means whereby said discharge passage and said discharge port are periodically alignable to permit adhesive metering from each said valve in timed relationship to movement of said carton.

6. An adhesive applicator device, comprising a hollow valve housing having an adhesive discharge port extending through a wall thereof, conveyor means for moving a series of articles in continuous fashion past said housing and in spaced relationship thereto, a movable control disc member movably engaged with said housing wall and normally closing said discharge port, said disc member having an adhesive discharge passage therethrough alignable with said discharge port when said disc member is in predetermined position whereby adhesive may be metered from said housing when said passage and port are aligned, and a rotatable shaft operatively connected with said disc member for effecting movement thereof to bring said passage and port into and out of alignment, pressure fluid-operated means operatively connected to said shaft, and valve means controlling operation of said pressure fluid-operated means in timed relationship to movement of said conveyor for a series of articles whereby said passage and said discharge port may be periodically aligned to effect metering of a controlled quantity of adhesive onto each of such articles as the articles move past said valve housing.

7. The valve structure of claim 6 wherein said shaft is rotatably oscillatable whereby said disc member is oscillatable relative to said housing wall, said pressure fluidoperated means comprises a cylinder and a piston connected to said shaft to produce oscillation thereof, and said valve means controls reciprocation of said piston in timed relationship to movement of said articles therepast so that said disc member passage is movable back and forth across said discharge port to permit periodic adhesive flow therethrough.

8. The valve structure of claim 6 wherein said disc member is urged by spring means into engagement with said housing wall whereby the need for packing around said disc member is precluded and adhesive leakage from said housing is obviated.

9. The valve structure of claim 8 wherein a connector is interposed between and operatively connects said disc member and said shaft, said spring means engaging both said disc member and said connector and urging the same in opposite directions.

(References on following page) Hustus Jan. 12, 1915 Ward May 30, 1916 5 Grammar Sept. 29, 1925 Shelburne Apr. 23, 1929 Bohnenblust Feb. 5, 1935 Stoesling Dec. 14, 1937 Molins et a1. Mar. 24, 1942 10 Thom Apr. 7, 1942 Arkless June 12, 1951 Pasotti Sept. 2, 19 52 B0811 M8024, 1953' Hollis A r. 13, 1954 Davis ;.2 Sept. 7, 1954 Finegan July 24, 1956 Gilmour Apr. 9, 1957 Jones Oct. 14, 1958 Cote July 26, 1960- FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 10, 1930 

